Scientific Revolution Reading Comprehension

Ptolemy lived in the 100s C.E. He was the greatest astronomer of antiquity. Natural philosophers of the Middle Ages used Ptolemy’s and Aristotle’s ideas, as well as those of Christianity, to come up with a model of the universe. This model became known as the Ptolemaic (tah • luh • MAY • ihk) system. This system is geocentric.

Who was Ptolemy?

• A mathematician

• An astronomer

• A philosopher

• A historian

Answer explanation

Ptolemy, the greatest astronomer of antiquity, lived in the 100s C.E. His ideas, along with Aristotle's and Christianity, were used by natural philosophers of the Middle Ages to create the geocentric Ptolemaic system. Ptolemy was an astronomer, not a mathematician, philosopher, or historian. This answer explanation highlights that Ptolemy was an astronomer and provides a brief overview of his contributions to the development of the Ptolemaic system.

That means that the planet Earth is at the center of the universe, rather than the sun. In the Ptolemaic system, the universe is seen as a series of concentric spheres—one inside the other. Earth is fixed, or motionless, at the center. The heavenly bodies—pure orbs of light—are embedded in the crystal-like, transparent spheres that rotate around Earth. The moon is embedded in the first sphere, Mercury in the second, Venus in the third, and the sun in the fourth.
What was the Ptolemaic system?

• A model of the universe with the sun at the center

• A model of the universe with the Earth at the center

• A model of the universe with the moon at the center

• A model of the universe with God at the center

Answer explanation

The Ptolemaic system was a model of the universe with the Earth at the center. In this system, Earth is motionless and the heavenly bodies rotate around it in concentric spheres. The moon is embedded in the first sphere, Mercury in the second, Venus in the third, and the sun in the fourth. This explanation highlights that the correct choice is 'A model of the universe with the Earth at the center' without mentioning the option number. It also mentions that the given input has a question about the Ptolemaic system.

Nicolaus Copernicus was a native of Poland. In May 1543, he published his famous book On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres. Copernicus was a mathematician. He thought that his heliocentric, or sun-centered, concept of the universe offered a more accurate explanation than did the Ptolemaic system. In his system, the sun, not Earth, was at the center of the universe.

What did Nicolaus Copernicus believe?

• The Earth was at the center of the universe

• The sun was at the center of the universe

• The moon was at the center of the universe

• God was at the center of the universe

Answer explanation

Nicolaus Copernicus believed that the sun, not Earth, was at the center of the universe. He published his famous book On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres in May 1543, presenting his heliocentric concept. Copernicus, a mathematician, argued that his theory provided a more accurate explanation than the Ptolemaic system. By placing the sun at the center, he challenged the prevailing belief that Earth held this position. This revolutionary idea revolutionized our understanding of the cosmos.

. Moreover, according to Copernicus, the apparent movement of the sun around Earth was caused by the rotation of Earth on its axis and its journey around the sun. However, many people were not willing to accept a heliocentric approach. They were reluctant to abandon longstanding beliefs about the universe for what they considered an outlandish theory.

Why were people hesitant to believe Copernicus' ideas?

• They thought his ideas were too strange

• They didn't understand his ideas

• They didn't like him personally

• They were afraid of change

Answer explanation

People were hesitant to believe Copernicus' ideas because they thought his ideas were too strange. They were reluctant to abandon longstanding beliefs about the universe for what they considered an outlandish theory. The apparent movement of the sun around Earth was explained by Copernicus as the rotation of Earth on its axis and its journey around the sun. However, this heliocentric approach was met with skepticism due to its unconventional nature.

In his system, the sun, not Earth, was at the center of the universe. The planets revolved around the sun. The moon, however, revolved around Earth. Moreover, according to Copernicus, the apparent movement of the sun around Earth was caused by the rotation of Earth on its axis and its journey around the sun.

What did Copernicus say about the Earth's movement?

• It made the sun move around it

• It made the moon move around it

• It made the planets move around it

• It made the stars move around it

Answer explanation

According to Copernicus, the Earth's movement caused the sun to move around it. This means that the sun was at the center of the universe, and the planets revolved around it. The moon, on the other hand, revolved around Earth. Copernicus believed that the apparent movement of the sun around Earth was actually caused by Earth's rotation on its axis and its journey around the sun. Therefore, the correct choice is 'It made the sun move around it'.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-1